This Chinese Star Wars Poster Might Be a Bit Racist

(Newser)
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China is being accused of a little Star Wars-inspired racism this week after a Chinese poster for The Force Awakens drew the attention of social media, CNN reports. The Chinese poster very noticeably shrinks Finn—a character played by black actor John Boyega—and moves him to a less prominent position. It also removes nonwhite characters played by Oscar isaac and Lupita Nyong'o and—for some reason—Chewbacca. "Star Wars' Finn (who happens to be black) and Chewbacca (happens to be Wookiee) get shafted in China," reads one tweet. According to the Wall Street Journal, citing a "person close to the Disney marking campaign," the changes were made to make more room for "attention-grabbing" things like explosions and spaceships and Harrison Ford.

But that didn't stop fans from complaining on Twitter, forcing China's state-run Global Times to address the issue, CNN reports. According to the Global Times, "analysts" looked at the poster and found no evidence of racism. "Since the poster is merely a promotion method…it would be unfair to criticize Chinese audiences for discriminating against the black actor," one expert says. And the Journal reports Chinese fans appear to have a different concern. “The change that matters to me is not about the black actor, but more about taking out the image of Chewbacca,” says one fan, who denied China has any history of racism against black people (a sentiment echoed by one of the Global Times' experts). Meanwhile, CNN notes many Africans living in China have reported "widespread" bigotry and discrimination. (Read more Star Wars stories.)

China does for China, always. They only welcome the non-Chinese if you bring your wallet. Non of this poor immigrant crap like we put up with in the US. They don't have any of the US-type "¡Es La Ley!" laws that say we must provide free everything for them. No, you cannot visit China without first having financial resources to do so and you can't get a visa unless you have already proved medical coverage prior to arriving. They also make it clear that while you are visiting, you cannot conduct any kind of commerce as that's a different kind of visa. If you are there to sell something, that visa costs a lot more than a tourist one. They are sure to tell you, "You soiley sell nothing, ok?"

hneftafl

Dec 11, 2015 7:45 AM CST

Ask any African-American and they will tell you that only white people can be racist. Therefore, this is not racist.

TheStupid1

Dec 11, 2015 5:01 AM CST

So most Asians dont like blacks. They have their reasons and I respect them. Not like I can do anything about it. Nor do I care.